My mom walked in my room and said "only take what you can't live without." I looked around my room and looked back at her and said "I can't live without all of my belongings." I have to say till this day that has been the hardest day of my life. I have never endured any kind of stress level like the one that I experienced during Hurricane Kartina.

My family letf two days before the storm hit. We ended up in Winnfield, Louisiana. We stopped at a McDonalds on out way north, and an old man that was looking to help someone let us stay at his camp. To tell you the truth I was very scared, upset, and most of all fearful of what was going to happen to my life that I loved so much back home. We stayed at the camp for a week and a half. I have to say it felt like forever.

My father had to stay behind because he is a firefighter for Jefferson Parish. I didn't hear from him for three days and I was so scared that something had happened to him. When I got my first phone call from him I cried the entire time.

When I came home nothing looked the same. But slowly my life has gotten back to normal. I am thankful for all the people that helped us and proud of my father for his service. I have to say I don't really like talking about my experience because it was so hard to get through. I am thankful for my family.